Advice for a cold start.

Ssimonc · Mar 12, 2015

My 2014 961 sport has been been sitting in my garage in sub zero temps since its delivery 6 weels ago.
And this weekend looks like its gonna hit 50f.
It's time to fire it up and ride. Would it be a good idea to remove the spark plugs and drop a capful of 10W40 into the pots and crank it over a few times
just to lube up the cylinder walls? The thing has probably never been started since its assenbly in Donnington.

TonyA · Mar 12, 2015

Fogging oil will work as well. I have just been keeping my battery topped up and when it warms enough outside I start mine and let it run a few minutes. I have a box fan I turn on to blow on the engine. Either way its going to be hard staying off much longer. Where did you get your 961 ? I bought from MCC Chicago.

Ssimonc · Mar 12, 2015

Thanks Tony, Yup MCC. You?

BPHORSEGUY · Mar 12, 2015

I would not drop a capfull of oil into the cylinders, probably just foul the plugs. Bikes have been stored a lot longer then yours and are just fine!

But since you asked here is what I WOULD do:

1. Make sure battery is fully charged.

2. Turn key on and wait until fuel pump stops pumping ( ticking stops )

3. Crank throttle 3 times ( I know its FI. Check your manual )

4. Hit the starter button as normal

5. Do not be surprised if the bike wants to stall for the first 3 or 4 minutes. These bikes are very lean at idle and tight,
your idle will get stronger as the miles buildup. Some impatient people ( me ) turn the idle up until the bike has
some break in miles!

TonyA · Mar 13, 2015

Ssimonc said:
Thanks Tony, Yup MCC. You?

Yes , I stated above that I went to MCC . I saw 2 other 961's a black/gold sport and a silver/black CR . Did you see mine by chance ? The red/gold sport ?

TonyA · Mar 13, 2015

Ssimonc said:
Thanks Tony, Yup MCC. You?

Yes , I stated above that I went to MCC . I saw 2 other 961's a black/gold sport and a silver/black CR . Did you see mine by chance ? The red/gold sport ?

Dozer · Mar 13, 2015

They will run like a bag of shit until the first service, then open pipes and remap sort out the lean fuelling. 961s are tight as hell from new and need running in carefully.

You shouldn't need to do anything other than what BPHORSEGUY says above, no matter what the temperature.

Get the running in done asap, as its so dull, I did mine in a week, then a whole new world opens up once you've spent a couple of thousand dollars on pipes and remap. Then you suddenly realise what weve been banging on about....

TonyA · Mar 13, 2015

BPHORSEGUY said:
I would not drop a capfull of oil into the cylinders, probably just foul the plugs. Bikes have been stored a lot longer then yours and are just fine!

But since you asked here is what I WOULD do:

1. Make sure battery is fully charged.

2. Turn key on and wait until fuel pump stops pumping ( ticking stops )

3. Crank throttle 3 times ( I know its FI. Check your manual )

4. Hit the starter button as normal

5. Do not be surprised if the bike wants to stall for the first 3 or 4 minutes. These bikes are very lean at idle and tight,
your idle will get stronger as the miles buildup. Some impatient people ( me ) turn the idle up until the bike has
some break in miles!

Hello BPhorseguy, When I read my manual is says to partially open the throttle if it is cold starting Have you tried that yet ? I have not this . I have seen others do the crank throttle 2 -3 times on you tube like you said

BPHORSEGUY · Mar 13, 2015

A couple of cranks works better for mine then cracking the throttle!

961Story · Mar 20, 2015

It all depends on what cylinders you have,I am told not all bikes have nicasil cylinders some are still cast iron.
I would if it was cast but not nicasil.I was also told by an ex Norton employee that the cylinders were made in Taiwan ?

BPHORSEGUY · Mar 20, 2015

There are dozens of employees where I work and most have no clue, the ones that do have been there forever. In any case the castings and liners on the 961's I have seen are very high quality. I am an Aerospace quality Engineer. My understanding is that North American mono's have Nikasil, the rest are cast iron liners. There is so much misinformation about these bikes its ridiculous, BritTwit and I have spent a year uncovering a dozen myths many coming directly from the dealer or distributor!!!

Story, regarding to crank or not are you concerned about squirting the different liners?

961Story · Mar 22, 2015

BPHORSEGUY,
Please do some research,the guy that told me about the cylinders and where they were made had been on the front line at Norton for a number of years,you can add to the list,cylinder heads,crankcase sand gearbox. All made in Taiwan. Maybe you don't want to believe it !!!!!

BPHORSEGUY · Mar 22, 2015

961Story said:
BPHORSEGUY,
Please do some research,the guy that told me about the cylinders and where they were made had been on the front line at Norton for a number of years,you can add to the list,cylinder heads,crankcase sand gearbox. All made in Taiwan. Maybe you don't want to believe it !!!!!

I have done a lot of research and have conflicting answers, some from much higher sources then yours!

As far as not wanting to believe, I have been in quality for 35 years and Asia invented Kaisan, 6s and many other quality systems that the US and rest of the world are struggling to catch up with. I stand by my statement that I have owned 29 bikes and the cylinders on my Norton are as good as or better then most of them! The pistons are reputed to be Asian also and if the rumor is correct then they have several hundred MILLION miles of real world use behind them, very successful. Modern Asian factories are some of the best in the world. One of the worlds best small arms factories is in ....... Turkey, who would of thought!.

Maybe it is you who needs to do some research, this is the 21st century, not the 1960's.
Many Taiwanese companys hold AS9100 or ISO-9000 certifications, the highest in the world. Maybe that is why NASA, Ferrari, BMW, GM, Apple and dozens of other top quality companies use them. If your rumor is true, Norton is in great company!

Now if you said they were made in China, you'd be right, I DON"T want to believe!!!

G81 Can Cycle · Mar 22, 2015

BPHORSEGUY said:
961Story said:

BPHORSEGUY,
Please do some research,the guy that told me about the cylinders and where they were made had been on the front line at Norton for a number of years,you can add to the list,cylinder heads,crankcase sand gearbox. All made in Taiwan. Maybe you don't want to believe it !!!!!

Click to expand...

I have done a lot of research and have conflicting answers, some from much higher sources then yours!

As far as not wanting to believe, I have been in quality for 35 years and Asia invented Kaisan, 6s and many other quality systems that the US and rest of the world are struggling to catch up with. I stand by my statement that I have owned 29 bikes and the cylinders on my Norton are as good as or better then most of them! The pistons are reputed to be Asian also and if the rumor is correct then they have several hundred MILLION miles of real world use behind them, very successful. Modern Asian factories are some of the best in the world. One of the worlds best small arms factories is in ....... Turkey, who would of thought!.

Maybe it is you who needs to do some research, this is the 21st century, not the 1960's.
Many Taiwanese companys hold AS9100 or ISO-9000 certifications, the highest in the world. Maybe that is why NASA, Ferrari, BMW, GM, Apple and dozens of other top quality companies use them. If your rumor is true, Norton is in great company!

Now if you said they were made in China, you'd be right, I DON"T want to believe!!!

I will second BP's statement. I own a machine shop that is ISO 9002 certified. Taiwan is a world class manufacturing center. Taiwan was used by Japan as a contract manufacturer since back in the 70's. Some of the best machine tools sold by Japan, are partially made in Taiwan. I run 2 mill/turn machines in my shop that are made in Taiwan, and they kick the ass of the tools made in other countries including the USA

961Story · Mar 25, 2015

You have missed the point completely !!!!!!!!! I don't care where the parts to my Norton are made,add crankshaft,camshaft,valves,gearbox to the list........
The point is,when at Norton being given a factory tour and all the sales jargon about how much of the bike,82% I think was quoted is proudly made in the UK.It is rubbish a huge percentage is built in Taiwan.
I don't like being lied to,by people selling something it isn't.............!!!!!!!,
That is my point just in case you didn't get it !

G81 Can Cycle · Mar 25, 2015

961Story said:
You have missed the point completely !!!!!!!!! I don't care where the parts to my Norton are made,add crankshaft,camshaft,valves,gearbox to the list........
The point is,when at Norton being given a factory tour and all the sales jargon about how much of the bike,82% I think was quoted is proudly made in the UK.It is rubbish a huge percentage is built in Taiwan.
I don't like being lied to,by people selling something it isn't.............!!!!!!!,
That is my point just in case you didn't get it !

961Story
I reread the earlier posts, and it does not seem clear. I can understand if you are upset with being told one thing by factory personnel and later find out that the information is not true. But that was not clear in your earlier posts. I think BP and myself were merely stating that we know that the Taiwan companies make extremely high quality components. I have no trouble buying Taiwan manufactured assemblies or components. Now if a factory person, or dealer, lied to me, that would upset me also.

BPHORSEGUY · Mar 25, 2015

Story, So you know the former Norton employee was correct about everything and the current Norton employee is wrong about everything???? I know for a fact Norton has changed some vendors.

I don't condone lying but as I stated previously and other members will attest there is more mis-information about this bike then any I have seen. I choose to worry more about how my bike is running.

ALL of the Norton owners I know state that the Quality of the components is in the top 3 reasons for them buying the bike, for some it is the number 1 reason! Norton chose, Ohlins, Brembo, VDO, Spondon, Motard and Dunlop to name a few. You seem to imply they went bargain basement shopping on the engine!

Why did you buy yours?

Britfan60 · Mar 26, 2015

Yup. The looks and HP were very important to me, but when I saw all of these exceptional components on what I think is an aesthetically perfect bike, I was sold. Still got a bit of sour taste in my mouth about the tranny and service since the season was over by the time I picked it up, so I'm just dying to get back on that horse. I only put about 50 miles on it in 30 degree weather and it ran and shifted beautifully. Hopefully in a week or 2....... By the way, although a nice ride, the Beemer Nine T isn't even close. Way too complicated with crappy lightweight and plastic components.

961Story · Mar 28, 2015

The ex Norton bloke I spoke to has been there for a number of years,I would rather not name him.
I also spoke to a guy at last years Classic TT at the Norton stand and he told me about the cylinders being made in Taiwan and he was an engine builder.
All I ask,is that Norton are honest about where there products come from,I feel they are not.

richard-7 · Mar 30, 2015

Let me solve this for you;

http://www.capricorngroup.net/en/contacts.html

Straight out of a 2013 961 engine.

:mrgreen:

Advice for a cold start.

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